From Staff Writer
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has declared that kidnappers apprehended in the State will face the death penalty by hanging, in line with the recently amended anti-kidnapping laws. He made the announcement during a Stakeholders’ meeting with leaders and members of the Arewa Community held in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, located within the Edo Central Senatorial District.
Governor Okpebholo, who was visibly firm in his stance on insecurity, stated that he is fully prepared to sign death warrants for convicted kidnappers in the State. He warned that his administration will not condone acts of insecurity, killings, or kidnappings, and pledged to deal ruthlessly with all criminal elements.
“I take the issue of insecurity seriously and will not bend the rules but apply them strictly,” the Governor said. “The new law in the State permits us to demolish the properties of kidnappers and confiscate their lands. We will build vigilante team offices on those lands.”
He added, “We will bring kidnappers to the public and execute them to show our seriousness, according to the laws already passed by the Edo State House of Assembly. I will not be afraid to sign it.”
Governor Okpebholo revealed sweeping measures to overhaul the security architecture of the State. He announced plans to formalise the roles of local vigilante teams, stating that members will be recruited, trained, and placed on regular salaries.
“We are going to employ vigilante teams and pay them salaries. We will stop people from just putting on uniforms without any form of training or compensation,” he said. “These teams will collaborate with existing security agencies and will be trained to fight crime and handle criminals professionally.”
He also promised to begin addressing market and community safety concerns immediately, rather than waiting until political campaign periods. “I will start to address the problems facing our people in the market and everywhere else,” he affirmed.
To curb infiltration by criminals posing as settlers, the Governor said measures would be taken to profile individuals from other States claiming to be from the North. He stressed the need to protect the integrity of the law-abiding Arewa community in Edo.
“We will fence the market, install streetlights, and build abattoirs for those slaughtering livestock. We want to secure the people of Edo State,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and efforts to prevent further violence following recent unrest in Uromi. He suggested that many of the perpetrators of violence in Nigeria were not even citizens of the country.
“Those destroying the land and causing problems are not even from Nigeria. They are foreigners. But the president has vowed to bring peace to Nigeria,” he said.
Chairman of the Arewa community in Edo Central, Alhaji Bawa Umar, expressed gratitude to the Governor and the Onojie (traditional ruler) of Uromi for restoring peace in the area. “The Governor is doing well in terms of security. The Arewa community will support his administration to ensure it succeeds,” he said.
Chairman of the Uromi Cattle Market, Alhaji Isah Muhammad, also thanked Governor Okpebholo for the swift and decisive response to the Uromi crisis, which he said significantly reduced tensions.
Retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe called on the Arewa community to create and maintain a database of its members. “I appeal to the Arewa Community to ensure they have a database to account for all their members,” he urged. “I also advise the leaders to monitor their members’ activities and ensure they are not involved in criminal conduct.”
The Edo State House of Assembly recently passed an amendment to the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law and Related Matters 2013. The amended law introduces the death penalty for kidnappers and authorises the confiscation and demolition of properties used in the commission of kidnapping crimes.
